Category: BREXIT

AP/The Sun: Dishing up a fresh dose of chaos on his European tour, President Donald Trump left behind a contentious NATO gathering in Brussels and moved on to Britain, where a pomp-filled welcome ceremony was soon overshadowed by an interview in which Trump blasted Prime Minister Theresa May, blamed London’s mayor for terror attacks against the city and argued that Europe was “losing its culture” because of immigration.… Be Informed

The Guardian: The government’s long-awaited white paper laying out its Brexit proposals has been published, the longest and most detailed explanation yet of the government’s hopes for the future relationship with the EU. It lays out many of the same elements detailed after the cabinet’s meeting at Chequers last week.… Be Informed

The Guardian: Trump suggested that Theresa May’s latest Brexit plan is not what people voted for. Asked if he had a message for the UK on Brexit, he said it was not for him to say. But he also said:

I’ve been reading a lot about Brexit over the last couple of days and it seems to be turning a little bit differently, where they’re getting at least partially involved back with the European Union…

I would say Brexit is Brexit … The people voted to break it up so I would imagine that’s what they would do, but maybe they’re taking a little bit of a different route – I don’t know if that is what they voted for.

Theresa May Facebook Page: “Two years ago, the people of the UK spoke in greater numbers than ever before when they voted to leave the European Union.

Since then, my number one priority has been to give this country the Brexit it called for — and, with the plan being published on Thursday, we’re taking the next step towards doing just that.… Be Informed

The Guardian : Angry hardline Brexiters have submitted four amendments to the government’s trade bill, arguing that Theresa May has broken their trust with the soft Brexit negotiating plan she unveiled at Chequers.

The European Research Group (ERG) fronted by Jacob Rees Mogg wants MPs to kill off May’s facilitated customs arrangement in an amendment to Monday’s bill, which calls for the UK to refuse to collect duties for the EU unless member states do likewise.… Be Informed

Reuters: British Prime Minister Theresa May won the support of senior ministers and an endorsement from Europe’s most powerful leader, Angela Merkel, on Tuesday, surviving the explosive resignations of two top cabinet members in protest at her Brexit plans.

May’s government was rattled on Monday by the departures of foreign minister Boris Johnson – the face of Brexit for many – and her chief Brexit negotiator David Davis.… Be Informed

Historians might revisit this day as one of the longest days in British history. It rekindles the spectres of the days when Margaret Thatcher, in November 1990 resigned as Prime Minister and party leader in November 1990, after Michael Heseltine launched a challenge to her leadership.… Be Informed

Downing Street: “This afternoon, the prime minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary. His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work.”

The Guardian: Theresa May’s desperate attempts to unite her party and country behind a new Brexit blueprint were under severe strain on Saturday night, as more than 100 entrepreneurs and founders of UK businesses dismissed it as unworkable – and hardline anti-EU Tory MPs warned it could mean an outcome worse than “no deal” at all.… Be Informed

The Telegraph: Theresa May won her battle with Eurosceptic ministers on Friday night as she announced the Cabinet has signed up to a Brexit deal that keeps Britain tied to EU rules and regulations indefinitely.

The Prime Minister said Britain would establish a “free trade area for goods” with the EU, allowing for frictionless trade and avoiding the need for a hard border in Northern Ireland.… Be Informed

Reuters: British lawmakers will debate the government’s proposed legislation on post-Brexit customs arrangements and trade on July 16 and 17, creating another potential flashpoint between Prime Minister Theresa May and pro-European Union lawmakers.

The debates will be a chance for lawmakers in May’s Conservative Party to make the case for Britain to remain in a customs union with the EU – something May has ruled out despite being unable to find an alternative that is acceptable to her cabinet and Brussels.… Be Informed

POLITICO: EU countries should prepare their airports and aviation sector for a “no-deal” Brexit, the European Commission told diplomats at a briefing earlier this month.

The warning came during a June 12 meeting chaired by Filip Cornelis, the director of aviation at the Commission’s transport department, attended by EU27 diplomats and representatives of their civil aviation authorities, according to three officials present.… Be Informed

The Telegraph: Boris Johnson was embroiled in a diplomatic row with Brussels on Friday night after he was accused of using a four-letter word to dismiss an ambassador’s question about the post-Brexit needs of British business.

EU diplomats have claimed that during a Foreign Office reception to celebrate the Queen’s birthday last week, the Foreign Secretary was asked about the fears of some business leaders over Brexit and replied: “f*** business.”

He was also overheard talking about Theresa May’s moves towards a softer Brexit and saying: “We will fight it and we will win.”

Mr Johnson was in conversation with Belgium’s ambassador to the EU Rudolf Huygelen at the event in Lancaster House, London, when he was overheard by two diplomatic sources making the comments.… Be Informed

At least 100,000 people took to the streets yesterday as part of the largest ever demonstration of support for a new referendum over Britain’s final Brexit deal.

With more businesses poised to issue dire Brexit warnings this week and senior Tories already drawing up plans to soften Theresa May’s exit proposals, organisers of the march on Sunday said it showed Britain’s departure from the European Union was not a “done deal”.… Be Informed

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany believes the timetable for Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union can be kept to, a government spokeswoman said on Friday, adding that while some issues still needed to be resolved, there were still open questions.

“We expect that the timetable will be adhered to,” the spokeswoman said at a regular government news conference, adding there had not been satisfactory solutions found to all questions, including the Irish border issue.… Be Informed

Auto Express: BMW has created a specialist task force to prepare for a worst-case Brexit scenario, one in which the UK leaves the customs union and the single market, as well as the EU, with no trade deals in place.

BMW’s Brexit task force is preparing the company for lengthy border queues and their associated supply delays, and is also considering safeguards against job losses.… Be Informed